New Clark City: All You Need to Know About This New Age Sustainable City in the Philippines

Highlights

• New Clark City (NCC) is a 9,450-acre planned community designed to be a 'disaster-resilient' metropolis.
• New Clark City includes the Aquatic Center, which hosted the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
• NCC will also have a 300-hectare forest park with a 20,000-seat Philippine Sports Stadium.
• New Clark City is poised to become one of the most livable cities in the Philippines, with the capacity to accommodate up to 1.2 million people.

Introduction

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and numerous private sector enterprises are now developing New Clark City (NCC) on a former military post in the Philippines. The project is being implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways in collaboration with the Cavite provincial government.

The city is slated to be the country's first smart, resilient, and environmentally friendly metropolis. It tries to solve rising environmental challenges caused by climate change by becoming catastrophe resilient in an area prone to natural disasters.

With its focus on resilience and sustainability, NCC represents a new way of thinking about urban development in the Philippines. The city provides a valuable opportunity to show how smart planning can create a more livable and disaster-resilient metropolis.

Background

In 2012, the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) unveiled its proposal for Clark Green City, a sprawling metropolis that would be located just outside of Manila.

The then-president Arnel Casanova envisioned a city with wide pedestrian lanes, ample green space, and no gated communities - all in an effort to encourage walkability and discourage heavy traffic. But the BCDA's proposal was met with skepticism from some high-ranking officials, who cited the development's remote location as a major drawback.

In 2015, the Philippine Congress approved House Resolution 116 in support of NCC or Clark Green City. The resolution noted the project's importance in economic development, employment generation, and environmental protection.

Former BCDA president and CEO Arnel Casanova played a key role in the development of the project, and his expertise was essential in helping to secure congressional approval.

After Casanova's tenure at BCDA ended, he joined AECOM as the firm's representative in the Philippines. In this new role, he was involved in the development of Clark Green City, ensuring that it meets the highest quality and sustainability standards.

Location

New Clark City is a planned community currently in its construction phase located within the Clark Special Economic Zone in the towns of Bamban and Capas in Tarlac province, Philippines. The 9,450-hectare project is designed to be a sustainable and smart city, with plans for a mixed-use development including residential, commercial, industrial, and educational facilities.

New Clark City is situated in Central Luzon, at the confluence of industry and agriculture. Hence, it has existing infrastructure and connectivity to Manila and the rest of the Philippines.

With its favorable location in the region and appropriate distance from Metro Manila, NCC is poised to become the next big metropolis. With ample space and resources, NCC is a perfect place for businesses to thrive. The city also provides residents a great quality of life with its clean environment and friendly community.

Reasons for Initiating this Multi-Billion Project

The following reasons led to the development of New Clark City.

The city is being developed with sustainability in mind.

The recent construction of New Clark City in the Philippines has been eye-opening for many reasons. It is one of the largest greenfield developments in Southeast Asia and is also being built with sustainability in mind. The city is designed to be highly energy efficient, with a district cooling system that minimizes carbon emissions.

In addition, all buildings must meet high water and waste management standards. With these sustainable features in place, NCC is poised to become a model for other cities looking to reduce their environmental impact. The city also has an extensive network of solar panels, which provides clean energy to the city.

The city is intended to be a model for other cities in the Philippines and around the world.

When it comes to building sustainable, livable cities, New Clark City is leading the way. This innovative new development is designed to be a model for other cities in the Philippines and around the world, setting a new standard for urban living.

New Clark City is built on principles of sustainability, with features like green spaces, pedestrian-friendly streets, and energy-efficient buildings. The city is also designed to be highly livable, with ample amenities and a well-connected transportation network.

To build a disaster-resilient community

New Clark City will be a community that is resilient to disasters. The city will be built on a series of hills which will provide natural drainage in the event of floods. The city will also have its own power plant and water treatment facility to ensure that residents have access to essential services in the event of an emergency.

In addition, the city will have its own hospital and fire station. New Clark City will also be connected to the rest of the country by a new airport and seaport. This will ensure that residents can evacuate quickly in the event of a disaster.

The city will also be home to several parks and green spaces, which will help absorb floodwaters and provide refuge for wildlife. As a result, NCC will be a safe and livable community for all.

Scope of Construction

On April 11, 2016, then-President Benigno Aquino III led the groundbreaking construction for New Clark City. The development became one of the flagship projects of President Rodrigo Duterte, the succeeding President. Under the leadership of BCDA President Vince Dizon, New Clark City entered its construction phase.

Phase 1 of Construction

The first phase of the PHP 8.2-billion access road project connecting New Clark City to Clark International Airport has been completed, according to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

The 19.83-kilometer, six-lane road project will provide a direct link between the airport and the new business district, making it an attractive hub for businesses, trade, and tourists alike. The new road will cut travel time to a mere 15 minutes from 45 minutes, making it a more appealing option for travelers.

The road features six lanes and is equipped with surveillance cameras and speed limit signs to ensure safety. With the opening of this new access road, travelers will now have a faster and more convenient way to get to Clark airport.

Phase 2 or Aranguren-Dapdap section

The PHP 2.72 billion second phase of construction, or the Aranguren-Dapdap section, of the Manila-Cavite Coastal Road (MCCR) is an 8.80-kilometer, six-lane road. It is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2022.

Phase 3 or Dapdap-Calumpang section

The PHP 1.86-billion Phase 3, or the Dapdap-Calumpang section, of the Manila-Cavite Coastal Road Project, is a 5.70-kilometer, six-lane road. As of December 2021, more than 30% of the roadwork has been constructed and is targeted for completion by the second quarter of 2022. When completed, it will provide an alternative route from Cavite to Manila and ease vehicular traffic between Cavite and Manila. It will also boost economic activity in the region by promoting trade and tourism.

Phase 2 includes a new bike and pedestrian lane that runs along the river, as well as new roadway lighting and linear parks. Phase 3 builds on these features by adding an additional bike lane and pedestrian path, along with improved signage and wayfinding. Together, these two phases will create a more vibrant and welcoming waterfront (a part of a town that borders the sea, lake, or river) for all to enjoy.

The New Clark City construction project is part of the Philippine government's Build-Build-Build program, which aims to boost economic growth by investing in infrastructure. Hence all the three phases of construction of New Clark City, which have new access roads, will not only reduce travel times and convenience for airport users but will also help to reduce traffic congestion in the surrounding area.

Investors of New Clark City

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is spearheading the development of New Clark City or Clark Green City. The overall masterplan development is under the BCDA. BCDA signed a 50-year contract with Filinvest to develop the 288 hectares (710 acres) of land allocated for the project. BCDA also managed to make partnerships with foreign firms to develop Clark Green City, such as Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corp.

Current Updates on the projectJuly 2022

New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, has recently been highlighted by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Philippines as a model and benchmark for the country's future cities after taking a more sustainable approach to resolving urgent urbanization issues like flooding, traffic, and congestion as well as air and water pollution.

May 2022

The British Embassy in Manila has completed its Global Future Cities Program (GFCP) and has handed over the final reports to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). New Clark City was selected as the Philippines' pilot city for the GFCP, and the British Embassy has been working closely with the BCDA to develop an integrated sustainability plan for the city. The handover of the final reports marks an important milestone in the implementation of the sustainability plan and paves the way for New Clark City to become a model of urban sustainability in the Philippines.

On May 28, 2022, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) reopened New Clark City to the public after two years of quarantine restrictions in order for people to have an opportunity to explore what this future metropolis has to offer.

The National Government Administrative Center (NGAC) and Athletes' Village in the region were converted into medical and isolation centers during the pandemic by New Clark City. It is now free for tourists to enjoy its areas and weekend viewing decks.

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